The Hustler

Several years ago, Paul Newman starred in a movie titled “The Hustler.” It dealt with the game of pool, and a hustler was a guy who set someone up and then hustled or beat him out of his money. The connotation of a hustler was definitely negative.

Today, however, when we think of a hustler, we think of someone who is a go-getter and gives the extra effort to accomplish a specific objective. Pete Rose, who broke Ty Cobb’s record for getting the most hits in baseball, was known as Charlie Hustle because in every phase of the game, he hustled to accomplish the objective. Even when he got a base on balls, he ran full-speed to first. At the end of the inning, he hustled into the dugout from the outfield, and when he returned to the outfield, he always hustled to get there. Unfortunately, according to the baseball commissioner, he hustled in a negative way when he gambled on the game and thus was denied induction into Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Derric Johnson says that “hustle is doing something that everyone is absolutely certain can’t be done. Hustle is getting the order because you get there first or stayed with it after everyone else gave up. Hustle is shoe leather and elbow grease and sweat and missing lunch. Hustle is believing in yourself and the business you’re in. Hustle is the sheer joy of winning. Hustle is heaven if you’re a hustler; hustle is hell if you’re not.” Derric Johnson also says “Easy doesn’t do it,” and he’s right.

Most of us look with disdain on the individual who approaches any task or request with boredom. We like to see a degree of zeal or enthusiasm when we make a request or watch somebody in the pursuit of their responsibilities, so be a hustler, and I will see you at the top!

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